Watching the Mountain

When Jiang Ling’Er left for the Demon Race, she had already formally withdrawn from the Sect, using a token from the Ninth Elder of the Dog Race. At this point, she was no longer a disciple of the Profound Pure Sect.

Xu Ran’s decision to rescue her was a personal one. However, Teacher Qing Xuan had told him that he still needed to report it to the Sect.

Jiang Ling’Er was no longer a Sect disciple, but he was. The Demon Race and the Immortal Ancient Cultivation Realm were allies, so any action that might lead to a conflict with the Demon Race—like his—had to be reported.

This was to prevent any incident from catching the Sect off guard, which would cause a great deal of trouble.

Xu Ran understood this. When it came to diplomacy, no detail was too small. The fact that the Sect only required him to file a report and didn’t try to stop him was already a sign of great generosity.

The Ye Shan Sword he had borrowed from Ye Shu was one of his most important trump cards, but it wasn’t the extent of his preparations.

As someone who cherished his life, he knew this wasn’t nearly enough. He definitely needed to prepare some protective items, like Talisman Treasure Armor.

He especially needed High Tier Armor. He couldn’t use it at his current level, but once he activated the Huaque Array and used the terrestrial energy of an entire county to temporarily boost his Cultivation, it would be perfect for him, wouldn’t it?

The highest-level Defensive Magical Treasure currently in the Sect was a set of Tier Ten Magical Robes suited for a Nascent Soul Late Stage Cultivator. Xu Ran had just enough Contribution Points to exchange for it, but if he did, he wouldn’t be able to use it for a very long time.

That would be a huge waste.

So, he thought about renting it instead.

When the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall heard his proposal, he was completely stunned. He stood there, mouth agape, and only after a long moment did he manage to stammer out:

"This... Can Magical Treasures even be rented?"

"Why not? It’s not like I’m going to move into it. I’ll just be wearing it to block a few attacks. If it gets damaged, I’ll pay extra Contribution Points to have it repaired. Besides, it’s just sitting here gathering dust since no one can afford to exchange for it. You might as well let me use it."

The Master of the Internal Affairs Hall fell silent for a moment after hearing his words. "Are you about to do something very dangerous?"

"It will likely be very dangerous."

"In that case, go ahead and take it."

Hearing this, Xu Ran shot him a surprised glance. ’So agreeable? Wasn’t the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall said to be a stingy penny-pincher who haggled over every last detail?’

In response to Xu Ran’s look, the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall stroked the beard on his chin and laughed heartily.

"Elder Xu, have you perhaps forgotten who I am?"

"Is there something special about your identity?" Xu Ran asked, completely bewildered.

The Master of the Internal Affairs Hall smiled gracefully. "As the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall, I oversee the allocation of all the Sect’s resources. Whenever anyone from the Sect comes to see me, I don’t even have to think about it—I know they’re here to ask for resources."

"But you, Elder Xu, are different. Ever since joining the Sect, you have done nothing but bring vast quantities of resources *to* the Sect."

"From the first Insect Control Technique to the new varieties of Spirit Medicines and Spirit Fruits, then the high-yield Spirit Rice, and after that, the Flying Immortal Stream cultivation method... all of these have brought in a sea of resources."

"The Flying Immortal Stream too?" Xu Ran asked with some surprise.

The Master of the Internal Affairs Hall gave him an odd look. "We couldn’t possibly teach them for free, could we?"

Xu Ran shook his head. "I assumed they obtained it through... other means."

The Master of the Internal Affairs Hall smiled knowingly. "Regardless of the means, they still had to pay a price to obtain it, didn’t they?"

Xu Ran’s eyes widened in sudden realization. ’I get it now. Officially, it’s not for sale, but behind the scenes, they have those "bribed" disciples demand an exorbitant price. What a move. As expected of the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall. A true businessman.’

The Master of the Internal Affairs Hall chuckled at his reaction and continued.

"So, Elder Xu, now you understand. I can afford to be gruff with anyone else in the entire Sect, because I know that when they show up, they’re just here with their hands out, asking for Spirit Stones."

"But you’re different. In the entire Sect, no one is more concerned about your safety than I am, Elder Xu."

"I’ll make you a promise right here and now, Elder Xu. If you ever have a problem, you come straight to me. Even if the Sect Leader or one of the Supreme Elders wants to punish you, just you watch and see if I don’t dare to go and take you right back from them."

Xu Ran was taken aback. ’So I have such a powerful backer in the Sect. And I’m only finding out today.’

Before this, he had only met the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall a handful of times.

As he was lost in thought over this revelation, the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall opposite him spoke, his expression turning serious.

"Elder Xu, I recall that since joining the Sect, you’ve always stayed within its grounds. You’ve never undertaken a single combat mission, and it’s precisely for that reason that you’ve been able to accomplish so much."

"Your path of cultivation should be one of peace and quiet, right here in the Sect. You shouldn’t go anywhere. If you stay, you may achieve even greater things in the future, and the Sect will guarantee you a life without worry."

He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on Xu Ran as he asked:

"You’re borrowing a Tier Ten Magical Robe for this... It must be incredibly dangerous. Do you really have to go?"

Xu Ran was slightly taken aback; he hadn’t expected the Master of the Internal Affairs Hall to try and dissuade him.

After a moment of silence, he shook his head and replied in a serious tone.

"As you said, a life of leisure and comfort is what I seek. But when a storm is unavoidable, I must have the courage to face it."

"One’s life can’t always be as calm as an old, still well, can it?"

The truth was, purely in terms of emotional attachment, Jiang Ling’Er wasn’t that important to Xu Ran.